Nuclear

OPG and Westinghouse announce upcoming nuclear cooperation

The companies will explore commercial opportunities for Westinghouse’s reactors, licensing and regulatory pathways for new nuclear projects in Canada, and other potential areas for collaboration in the new-build market.
OPG and Westinghouse announce upcoming nuclear cooperation
Patrick Fragman, Westinghouse President and CEO (left), with OPG President and CEO Ken Hartwick at the World Nuclear Exhibition in Paris. (Photo: Business Wire)

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and Westinghouse Electric Company have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a framework for the two organizations to identify potential areas of cooperation for the deployment of nuclear technologies.

Under the MOU, the companies will seek to explore potential commercial opportunities for Westinghouse’s AP1000, AP300, and eVinci reactor technologies; investigate licensing and regulatory pathways for new nuclear projects in Canada; and examine other potential areas for collaboration in the new-build market.

The MOU signing took place in Paris at the World Nuclear Exhibition where companies and representatives from around the world were gathered to explore the latest innovations and opportunities to collaborate and shape the future of clean nuclear energy.

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To effectively decarbonize the broader economy, Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator says demand for clean, reliable baseload electricity will rise sharply in coming years and has called for almost 18,000 MW of new nuclear capacity by 2050.

OPG’s current work includes building North America’s first fleet of small modular reactors at its Darlington New Nuclear site. The company has just partnered with companies from Canada, the U.S., and France to ensure a fuel supply for the first unit of its four-unit project.

OPG already plans to develop the “first grid-scale SMR” in North America at the Darlington site, GE Hitachi’s BWRX-300 reactor. OPG is partnering with GEH, SNC-Lavalin, and Aecon on the project, and the first SMR is expected to be completed by the end of 2028, and online by the end of 2029

Subject to Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) regulatory approvals, the additional SMRs could come online between 2034 and 2036. The provincial government said OPG could take learnings from the construction of the first unit to deliver cost savings on the subsequent units. The four units once deployed would produce a total 1,200 MW of electricity.

Westinghouse recently got its first customer for the eVinci microreactor when the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) received $80 million to pursue the demonstration of a microreactor. SRC will apply the research and knowledge gained from the licensing and deployment of an initial microreactor to support the Saskatchewan nuclear industry to better understand this type of technology and the potential for future microreactor projects in the province. It is expected to be operational by 2029.

The company also just announced the full acquisition of its long-standing partner Tecnatom from Endesa after obtaining all regulatory approvals. The full acquisition of the Spanish company is meant to boost Westinghouse’s offerings in nuclear refueling, maintenance, inspection services, engineering, training, and digital services and products.

Westinghouse first acquired 50% of Tecnatom in 2021 and operated the company jointly with Endesa. Since then, Westinghouse and Tecnatom partnered in support of projects and commercial opportunities, particularly in inspection services, training and digital solutions. By acquiring the remaining 50%, Westinghouse can fully integrate Tecnatom’s resources, capabilities and products into Westinghouse.

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